What next for Internet Governance after NETmundial?

London, 25 June 2014

Vice-President of the European Commission responsible for the Digital Agenda

I want to congratulate the Brazilian government, and particularly State Secretary Almeida, for their hard work and dedication in organising the NETmundial meeting.sentence permalink

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Let me get straight to the point: I believe that NETmundial was a success.sentence permalink

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It was the demonstration that the multi-stakeholder model works, and that it can produce concrete outcomes.sentence permalink

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The result can make the multi-stakeholder model more inclusive, transparent and sustainable in the long term. As well as moving us towards a clear definition of the principles that must guide global Internet governance.sentence permalink

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NETmundial put us on the right track, but this does not mean that the work is over.sentence permalink

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We now have to achieve the goals that were so well outlined in Sao Paulo. To implement those concrete actions.sentence permalink

First - the internet is available to everyone, and belongs to everyone. And we need everyone to have their say. That is why the multi-stakeholder model is the right one – one we should champion and defend. A model based purely on government control would be very dangerous.sentence permalink

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Second, the Internet is global. And it is right that we move IANA towards a more global basis. Without putting stability and security in jeopardy, of course – we cannot afford that.sentence permalink

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But this transition is a historic and welcome step towards globalisation of a key Internet resource.sentence permalink

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This transition has to follow some key criteria: Inclusiveness, legitimacy, accountability, global public interest, rule of law and separation of policy and technical functions.sentence permalink

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It has been a long time coming, and in some quarters patience would wear thin if there is further unnecessary delay. I listened carefully to what Larry Strickling had to say earlier, and I know the US administration gets it.sentence permalink

To keep it that way we need to keep people engaged – global governance for a global internet.sentence permalink

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That is why we need to strengthen the Internet Governance Forum and give it financial and political sustainability; we need to make its discussions more accessible for all people in the world; we need to strengthen the links between national, regional and the global IGF, because only by doing so we can make sure the discussions at the IGF are relevant and useful.sentence permalink

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We have to make sure that the technologists and the policy-makers talk more, and better. Nowhere as in ICANN is it crystal clear that apparently "technical" decisions can have deep public policy implications.sentence permalink

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You have to recognise the rights and responsibilities of governments to care about those issues. You cannot ignore their role.sentence permalink

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The debate over dot-wine is damaging, for example. It's damaging to ICANN's credibility. But – more significantly, more worryingly — it could damage the whole multi-stakeholder model on which it is based.sentence permalink

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And it is one example that demonstrates how essential it is that ICANN continues its efforts to become more accountable to the global community.sentence permalink

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ICANN is not only a machine to coordinate naming and numbering resources of the Internet, although this is an essential part of its mandate.sentence permalink

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ICANN, whether people realise it or not, is also a symbol. It is a symbol of what multi-stakeholder governance means. Its successes, and its failures, will always and unavoidably be interpreted in a much larger context than ICANN itself.sentence permalink

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I have one final thing to mention today, and I want to speak directly to those who disagreed with the results coming out of NETmundial – either because of procedural or substantive issues.sentence permalink

Differences of opinion are natural and inevitable. Diverse views add value. Let's share those opinions, be honest about them, be constructive about finding a solution.sentence permalink

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I accept that there will always be different views on how much openness is acceptable on the Internet.sentence permalink

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But the Internet is a global, common resource. Its benefits stem from its global nature. While governments' ability to apply local laws should be preserved, of course, we all have too much to lose if we allow the Internet to become fragmented and nationalised.sentence permalink

Just as Brazil did in its courageous leadership in Sao Paulo, and in its willingness to move out of its comfort zone to find a compromise.sentence permalink

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As a result, NETmundial has given us a strong boost in the right direction: it is now our responsibility to turn words into practice and realise the potential that the Internet has for each and every one of us.sentence permalink